KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) agenda under the purview of the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (SEDIA) serves as a strategic complement to the implementation of the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ).
“It also supports the nation’s development aspirations under the Malaysia Madani framework,” he said at the breaking of fast ceremony with State and Federal department heads at Menara Kinabalu today.
He said that in an increasingly competitive state development landscape, strategic investment is a key catalyst for Sabah’s economic growth.
“Our priority is high-quality investments capable of generating high-value-added job opportunities, strengthening local supply chains, and delivering clear spillover benefits to local communities.
“To strengthen the state’s investment ecosystem, SEDIA plays the role of a strategic facilitator in coordinating planning, driving investment promotion, and serving as a bridge between the State Government, Federal agencies and the private sector,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the State Government, through SEDIA, is committed to ensuring that the development agenda is implemented in a balanced and inclusive manner across Sabah.
This can be seen under the SDC framework, where several strategic studies have been completed to support more balanced, targeted regional development planning, he said.
Among them are, the Economic Master Plan and Business Plan Study for POIC Sandakan, the Master Plan and Business Plan Study for the Free Economic Zone, Logistics Hub and Cold Storage Depot at POIC Lahad Datu, the Sabah Border Economic Development Study and the Master Plan Study for the Food Valley in Sabah’s interior.
“Findings from these studies provide a stronger planning foundation to drive inclusive and sustainable regional economic growth.
“In ensuring that the balanced regional development agenda continues to be driven consistently, SEDIA remains relevant as a facilitating and strategic coordinating agency to accelerate the state’s economic development.
“SEDIA’s capability is further strengthened through its financial governance with integrity, as proven by the award of the Clean Audit Certificate for its financial statements for 16 consecutive years from 2009 to 2024,” he said.
Hajiji said in line with a people-centric development approach, the implementation of people-centric infrastructure projects continues to be strengthened to ensure development benefits are felt inclusively and evenly throughout the state.
The initiative, implemented from 2020 to 2025 covers small but high-impact projects across three main development regions – the West Coast, Central and East Coast Sabah, involving a total of 32 districts and sub-districts.
He said cumulatively, 1,126 small projects have been implemented as targeted interventions to enhance socio-economic inclusivity, improve access to basic facilities, and narrow development gaps between regions and local communities, particularly in rural areas.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister urged all department heads to continue strengthening a high-performance culture within their respective organisations.
“The success of the Sabah First agenda demands collective commitment, firm leadership, and readiness to implement necessary changes in the interest of the people and the state.
At the same event, the Chief Minister presented Sumbangan Kasih Ramadan to 16 registered tahfiz centres and Islamic learning institutions.-pr/BNN
